UAD still worth it?

[jamcat]

I think the UA Dimension Chorus plugin has a slightly more 'round' and pleasing sound than the Arturia one. But not enough to sway me from buying and using the Arturia one over the UA version. I had to A/B over and over on the same content to hear the difference. It's there but not enough for me to care. And if I don't care I doubt the listener is going to care either.

There's actually quite a difference between the UAD and Arturia Dimension D models.

Arturia is about 3dB louder than UAD, for starters. It also has more low-mid presence. It's definitely more intense than the UAD.

But my primary concern is which one is the authentic one.

So here is where it gets interesting:
A few years ago, someone on GearSputz did a shootout with a number of plugins and hardware emulations, and some other members contributed audio of their Roland Dimension D hardware.

One guy had an all original unit, and another one had a recapped and recalibrated unit. I think it's safe to assume the first unit represents a well maintained vintage unit, and the second unit represents how such a unit would have sounded new 40 years ago.

I downloaded all of the real Dimension D audio files and the original dry test file, and did some A/B comparisons of the plugins vs. the real hardware in Studio One.

And here is what totally blew my mind:
The UAD model is spot on to the all original unit, and the Arturia is spot on to the recapped unit, right down to the differences in volume.

So for now on, I will choose my Dimension D model based on whether I want it to sound like I recorded it now, or in the 1980s.

You can find all of the audio test files here:
https://gearspace.com/board/gear-shoot- ... rison.html

[mothra]

And here is what totally blew my mind:
The UAD model is spot on to the all original unit, and the Arturia is spot on to the recapped unit, right down to the differences in volume.

So for now on, I will choose my Dimension D model based on whether I want it to sound like I recorded it now, or in the 1980s.

So, what you're saying is, since the Dimension D is like the only plugin I still use from the FX Collection, I should get UA's next time its on sale?

[VitaminD]

Those of you who bought in to the Essentials bundle, and didn't own anything else, how much are your Producer and Studio bundle offers for?

[jamcat]

And here is what totally blew my mind:
The UAD model is spot on to the all original unit, and the Arturia is spot on to the recapped unit, right down to the differences in volume.

So for now on, I will choose my Dimension D model based on whether I want it to sound like I recorded it now, or in the 1980s.

So, what you're saying is, since the Dimension D is like the only plugin I still use from the FX Collection, I should get UA's next time its on sale?

If you want a model that sounds like a 40 year old vintage unit in present condition, yes.

[_leras]

Echoplex and Space Echo behave and sound very different, though.

Yes and I’ve never owned an Echoplex to compare. But I’ve had a 201 and several other Space Echo’s, and the UA plugin is much more crunchy and harsh. Still useful, just not a super accurate emulation.

There are different tape modes in the UA space echo.

I've never felt it was all that harsh. Just put an EQ after it if you think that.

It's definitely more realistic than the audio thing space echo, which is nice modern and clean, but doesn't really have the same level of tape flavour.

[Uncle E]

The EP-34 is smoother and, at least in that sense, is more similar to a real Space Echo.

[jamcat]

I think every Space Echo gets the reverb wrong because they all seem to just use convolution. The Space Echo used the same spring reverb as the Jazz Chorus. But if you bypass reverb of whichever 201 plugin you’re using and use PSP SpringBox on ||| mode, you’ll get an authentic sound.

[Gam456]

It's definitely more realistic than the audio thing space echo, which is nice modern and clean, but doesn't really have the same level of tape flavour.

Have a look Hardware VS UAD Galaxy VS AudioThing Outer Space




The Outer Space isn't an immediat effect. There is many setting to match closer the hardware

[jamcat]

Shouldn’t it match the hardware in its default setting?

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

With HQ mode on, the preamp engaged, and oversampling, it would be pretty hefty on the CPU and people with older PC's might complain. Just a guess as to why that stuff may default to off. That guy got Outer Space mostly figured out in terms of the tips (old Tape, preamp on, oversampling, play with the noise and input/output volume) but one more I'd add is: the R. Bal (i.e. Rate Ballistics). That controls how much lag there is before the Rate knob moving really impacts the sound and it's set pretty slow by default. I speed it up quite a bit. His hardware was much faster responding than the plugin, but he didn't touch that feature, which would've gotten them even closer. Lastly, turn on HQ mode. I'm not sure if his version of Outer Space had that or if it was added later. Or maybe he mentioned it and I missed it.

[Scotty]

The AKG BX 20 from UA is also a convincing spring verb . It isn't available in native format as of yet. I don't find either of these to be bang on relative to the real deal but they are in the ball park. I haven't demo'd the Cherry Audio version. It would be interesting to get thoughts on that attempt.

I think every Space Echo gets the reverb wrong because they all seem to just use convolution. The Space Echo used the same spring reverb as the Jazz Chorus. But if you bypass reverb of whichever 201 plugin you’re using and use PSP SpringBox on ||| mode, you’ll get an authentic sound.

[VitaminD]

I don't care how well it models the old hardware. As a musician, I just want the software to sound pleasing to the ear and be easy to use.

[A J M]

Those of you who bought in to the Essentials bundle, and didn't own anything else, how much are your Producer and Studio bundle offers for?

For me Producer is $199.50 and Studio is 249.50. I did also buy the guitar FX bundle last week, but I’m pretty sure these were the same prices before I bought that.

[vitocorleone123]

The AKG BX 20 from UA is also a convincing spring verb . It isn't available in native format as of yet. I don't find either of these to be bang on relative to the real deal but they are in the ball park. I haven't demo'd the Cherry Audio version. It would be interesting to get thoughts on that attempt.

I think every Space Echo gets the reverb wrong because they all seem to just use convolution. The Space Echo used the same spring reverb as the Jazz Chorus. But if you bypass reverb of whichever 201 plugin you’re using and use PSP SpringBox on ||| mode, you’ll get an authentic sound.

Klanghelm TENS

[jamcat]

I did some comparisons of just the spring reverb in a few Space Echo models. I think I was mistaken when I said all Space Echo models use convolution. I'm starting to think UAD doesn't. It has some drip (through not a lot, since it's a Type 8 tank), which is something convolution can't do. You also can hear individual echoes within the reverb, particularly at the start. That's very similar to what PSP SpringBox (which is modeled) does, as well. Convolution springs always sound much smoother and washy, without discernible echoes.

The worst (by that I mean least accurate) Space Echo reverb has to be the one in Arturia Delay TAPE 201. But ironically, the SPACE ECHO tank in Rev SPRING-636 is one of the best (most authentic) convolution based Space Echo reverb. It sounds nothing like the spring reverb in TAPE 201, despite both being Space Echoes.

Also, I watched the comparison video above, and I thought the Audiothing Space Echo sounded quite off from the hardware at a fundamental level, at least in the settings he had it in. The delay sounded way too sharp and metallic. I couldn't get a good sense of how the UAD Space Echo compared to the hardware in the video because he was doing something totally different with it from the beginning.